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Art Montini receiving the Runner Up Sportsmanship Award (center). The award was presented by Al Myers (left) and Denny Habecker (right). The Sportsmanship Award Winner Mike Murdock was not in attendance.

The Sportsmanship Award goes to individuals who have showed exceptional sportsmanship throughout the year. It may be for overall conduct at all events, or by a specific example of exceptional sportsmanship. This years winners are definitely worthy of this title! Both of these lifters exhibit great sportsmanship at every competition, and are fine examples of the way lifters should conduct themselves at competitions. The winners are:

WINNER – MIKE MURDOCK

RUNNER UP – ART MONTINI

Mike was unable to make it to Nationals this year to accept his award, but Art was present to accept his. I want to say a few words about both of these guys because these two lifters I have the greatest respect for. I can’t count the number of meets that Mike has sacrificed his own days lifting to “help out” to insure the meet is ran well. At my Dino Record Days this past spring Mike spent the day officiating the new lifters instead of doing the record lifts that he wanted to do. I couldn’t have done it without him there! Mike is one of those lifters that gives to the organization more than he takes. That’s true sportsmanship. Art, at age 84, has given as much to the USAWA as anyone. How many lifters his age would have made the trip to the IAWA World Championships in Australia by themselves?? I’ll answer it – NONE besides him. Art is always part of any “big event” in the USAWA or the IAWA, and this has been going on for many, many years now. Both of these guys are very worthy winners of this award. CONGRATS!!!